The block with no buyers

It has been touted as the auction of the year. But one week out, a key ingredient is missing: buyers.

Thousands of people have flocked to the open-for-inspections of the Bondi Beach units made famous by television's The Block, but some of the agents marketing the units are struggling to find genuine buyers.

The reality real estate show may have been too successful, with expectations the units might sell for well above market value and hyped-up promises of becoming a celebrity buyer blamed for scaring off potential bidders.

In a normal situation, one week before an auction, agents would have a fairly accurate idea of who the bidders were likely to be and the price range at which they were likely to bid.

But at least one of the four agents believes they are yet to find a "hot buyer" for their unit and may award prizes, such as restaurant meals, to anyone who makes a bid next Saturday.

The agents at Raine & Horne Double Bay, who are marketing Kylie and Paul's unit, say they have been forced to come up with creative solutions to lure people to bid.

"There are huge numbers of people coming through at open-for-inspections, but not many are serious," director Michael Pallier said. "With all the hype and publicity, they are worried that they are going to sell for ridiculously high prices.

"No one is carrying out building inspections on the unit like they would usually if they wanted to buy it."

Several agents hope buyers who have been holding off will get in touch this week, the final days of the marketing campaign.

"Our job in the next week is to reassure people who have seen it that they are not wasting their time if they bid," Mr Pallier said.

The rumour mill has also been working overtime, spooking potential buyers further. Mr Pallier said his office had received calls from people concerned that actor Mel Gibson had already bought the unit.

Others have been scared by rumours that an offer of $900,000 has been made, well above the $595,000 reserve price.

Ray White Double Bay's Samantha Finger, who is in charge of marketing Fiona and Adam's apartment, said there had been up to 1500 people at open-for-inspections. But those who were seriously interested had contacted her by email.

"A lot of people have been saying that they are scared they are going to sell for too much money," Ms Finger said.

"But we have been saying that the opposite might happen. It's a big guessing game."

Mary Ann Cronin, of L. J. Hooker Bondi Beach, who is marketing Phil and Amity's unit, said at least 1000 people had been through the apartment but only a few contracts had been issued.

"I think that a lot of real buyers will come out at the end," she said. "It's not like a real auction where you get serious buyers straight off. But we expect there will be 20 bidders on the day."

McGrath Estate Agents' Pauline Goodyer, who is overseeing the sale of Warren and Gavin's unit, said she had received interest in the apartment. Now was the time for anyone thinking about bidding to make themselves known, she said.